As a country that sold $395 billion in agricultural products in 2012, the agriculture industry is an integral part of America's identity. But with the average age of the American farmer at 58 years old, the United States Department of Agriculture deputy secretary Krysta Harden is anticipating a shift from the old guard to the new and thus spearheading a national conversation on the future of agriculture in the U.S.

Local officials and new tenants of Turlock's newest affordable housing complex Avena Bella joined together for the official ribbon cutting ceremony held on Thursday, celebrating the conclusion of the four-year process to bring quality housing to low-income families.

Even in an ever increasing technological world, books play an important role in child development. Luckily for local parents of little ones, there is a free way for children to build their own library at home: the Abundant Books for Children Project, or ABC Project.

Over the past two years, the United Cerebral Palsy network in Turlock has been working to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) stopped by the UCP Turlock office on Tuesday morning to see how a recent donation of new computers will add to the lives of many.

American Legion Hughson Post 872 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 88 celebrated the Legion's 95th anniversary with a scavenger hunt, raffle and family event at the Turlock Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership on Saturday.

Twenty-four junior girls, representing five different local high schools, competed in this year's Distinguished Young Women of Turlock scholarship program (formerly known as Turlock's Junior Miss). Henna Hundal and Laci Rojas each earned $850 in scholarship funds for winning the DYW of Turlock and DYW of Greater Turlock awards. First runner-up Cailie Fuentes earned $500 and second runner-up Brooklyn Boice earned $300.

Although the Turlock Irrigation District is still officially in a drought state of condition, recent rainstorms throughout the region has resulted in district staff delaying the start of the 2014 irrigation season by one week.

Two young men were heralded at Monday's Ceres City Council meeting for saving the life of their 18-month-old niece who was found in the bottom of a swimming pool in Ceres one Saturday morning last month.